Top 10 Bands with a Member Who Had a Solo Career

waldo

The Top Ten

1Pink FloydPink Floyd was an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters ...read more.

No words needed, just listen to "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking" - waldo

2The BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were soon known as the foremost and most influential act of rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented ...read more.

All four had successful solo careers. - Billyv

3The WhoThe Who is an English rock band formed in London, England in 1964. The most recognizable lineup was Roger Daltrey (lead vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass guitar), and Keith Moon (drums). They are best known for their live performances and hit songs Baba O'Riley, My Generation, and ...read more.

I think all members had solo albums... - waldo

4RainbowRainbow are a British rock band led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1993 to 1997. They were originally established with Ronnie James Dio as the lead singer and lyricist. Rainbow were ranked No. 90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. The band has sold over 28 million albums ...read more.

Basically a solo project, had Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell etc. who also had good solo careers - waldo

5Black SabbathBlack Sabbath were a Heavy Metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. ...read more.

Ozzy had one of the best solo careers ever, Ronnie James Dio too - waldo

6GenesisGenesis are an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey in 1967. The most commercially successful and long-lasting line-up includes keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford and drummer/singer Phil Collins.

Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins - waldo

7Crosby, Stills, Nash, & YoungCrosby, Stills & Nash were an American-British-Canadian folk rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. They were known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young when joined by occasional fourth member Neil Young.

10Deep PurpleDeep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, ...read more.

Rainbow is a solo project basically... - waldo

"Leaving DEEP PURPLE Was 'The Best Thing He Could Have Done For The Band'- Roger Glover.

It was mainly for Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore is a psychopath of music. He worked too hard also put pressure on his band members. That's why Gillan left the band, and one by one everybody left the band. But after departure of Blackmore, the band more likely stay cooled.

Even Ronnie James Dio appreciated his musical ability but said that he had bad band shipmate. "He doesn't care about people. He's a very cruel man."

And there's a long conflict between Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore.

So, parting way from Deep Purple and working as solo career (or working with members for few years) was the best thing Ritchie Blackmore could do.

Even though he had hard membership with other members, but still he wasn't like Axl Rose or Carlos Santana He didn't lead Deep Purple for long. He knew it'd be better if Jon Lord remained the band's leader and he in his own band. - zxm

The Contenders

11QueenQueen are an English rock band formed in 1970. Members were Freddie Mercury (Vocals and Piano), Brian May (Guitar, Vocals), Roger Taylor (Drums, Vocals), and John Deacon (Bass Guitar, Vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury ...read more.

13King CrimsonKing Crimson is a British progressive rock band that was formed in 1969. While the band has had numerous lineup changes, the head of the band has always been Robert Fripp (guitar). However, the most notable lineup is between 1972-75, consisting of Fripp, John Wetton (bass/vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), ...read more.

Robert Fripp had interesant Solo Projects - waldo

14WhitesnakeWhitesnake are a rock band formed in England in 1978 by singer David Coverdale, after his departure from his previous band Deep Purple.

15KansasKansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on album-oriented rock charts and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind".

16ChickenfootChickenfoot is a rock supergroup formed in 2008. The group consists of vocalist Sammy Hagar, bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani, and drummer Chad Smith.

17Richie SamboraRichard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, singer and songwriter who was the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi for 30 years. He is known for his work with Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He is a very praised guitarist who played solos for songs like Dry County, Stranger ...read more.

Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Philip Selway have all released solo albums, and Ed O'Brien is supposed to be releasing a solo album in the near future. - Gg2000

19EaglesThe Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.

Don Henley and Glenn Frey had several prominent solo hits during the 80s. - Gg2000

20The SmithsThe Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The band consisted of vocalist Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce.

Both Morrissey and Johnny Marr have had solo careers, with Morrissey's solo work being more prominent. - Gg2000

21OasisOasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Developed from an earlier group, the Rain, the band originally consisted of Liam Gallagher (vocals and tambourine), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan, and Tony McCarroll.

After the split, Noel Gallagher formed his own band, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Liam started his solo career about a year ago with the album "As You Were". - Gg2000

22Creedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater Revival, often shortened to Creedence and abbreviated as CCR, was an American rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

After the band broke up, John Fogerty pursued a solo career, which was on-and-off again until 1998. Since then, he has released three new albums (and one collab album), and has been consistently touring as a solo artist. - Gg2000

23LostprophetsLostprophets were a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, Wales formed in 1997. Founded by lead vocalist and lyricist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance.